In 2010, a fresh law graduate took an unusual step that would reshape civil rights litigation in Colorado: she posted a legal services ad on Craigslist. Having graduated from Boston University School of Law and seeking renewal in Colorado, Sarah Schielke offered her services at minimal cost while being honest about her beginner status.
This unorthodox beginning proved remarkably effective, providing rapid experience in real-world cases. By 2012, Schielke established the Life and Liberty Law Office, dedicating her practice to criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her independence – never working under another attorney’s supervision – allowed her to develop innovative approaches that would later define her practice.
Schielke’s transformative strategy centered on making police body camera footage public, bringing unprecedented transparency to law enforcement accountability. This approach proved crucial in the case of Karen Garner, a woman with dementia who suffered injuries during a 2020 Loveland police arrest. The release of this footage in April 2021 garnered national attention and spurred comprehensive departmental reviews.
The impact was substantial: Officer Austin Hopp received a five-year sentence, while Officer Daria Jalali faced 45 days in jail plus three years of probation. The case settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical $100,000 settlement for similar cases. Schielke followed this success with an even more significant victory in 2022, securing a record-breaking $7 million settlement for a client who endured a police tasing in his Idaho Springs home.
Personal loss shaped her legal philosophy profoundly. The death of her father from cancer at 59, shortly after watching her lose her first trial, led her to embrace gratitude and forgiveness. This experience fundamentally altered her perspective on both life and law practice.
Schielke defines courage as the determination to address wrongs and improve situations, especially when confronting powerful opposition. Her proudest moment emerged from a Clear Creek County case in which she faced contempt charges for releasing body camera footage despite following judicial orders. Rather than retreating, she embraced the challenge, even wearing a T-shirt to court highlighting the First Amendment violation.
As a woman in the legal field, Schielke recognizes the additional adaptability required compared to male colleagues. She emphasizes maintaining authenticity while navigating professional demands and actively works to transform the system from within, fostering strong women on her staff.
Her guiding philosophy reveals a compassionate understanding of human nature: She sees only two types of people—good people and good people in pain. Each person, she believes, approaches their day intending to do their best, with inappropriate actions often stemming from personal struggles.
Behind her success lies a commitment to constant learning and the crucial support of her husband, who stays home with their daughters, enabling her demanding career. This foundation allows her to maintain her innovative approach while balancing professional responsibilities.
Recognition for her groundbreaking work came when she was named USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado. Her journey from a Craigslist beginner to a transformative force in civil rights law demonstrates how determination and innovative thinking can reshape the justice system.
Schielke’s approach combines legal expertise with deep human understanding, creating a practice that wins cases and changes lives. Her transparency and public accountability strategy has secured unprecedented settlements and driven systemic change in law enforcement practices. Through her unique blend of courage, compassion, and strategic innovation, she continues to redefine what’s possible in civil rights litigation while maintaining her commitment to justice and human dignity.
